2011/2012 UEFA Champions League

[Liam]

Following on from that, I love the fact that the BBC live text man managed to get Balotelli and Yaya Toure confused, attributing the first goal initially to Mario.

Fair mistake.....they do all look the same after all

[Dan]

Liam is worse than John Terry

Edited November 2, 2011 by McDanlad's

[Lineker]

Antonio Cassano has had heart surgery now, hopefully he'll make ap laying return soon.

[Baddar]

United were bloody awful last night going forward. It was a boring game from start to finish, and tried to be far too cute in and around the penalty area.

The positives were Rooney in midfield (I honestly think he could play there permanently if we had another attacking option in his place) and Benfica drawing with Basel, meaning we top the group and will win it with victory in the next game.

[IAceI]

The match was very boring but it was essentially a second-string Man Utd team in places and they got to the job done. I thought Oletul Galati played with spirit and did well, although by the full time whistle I was glad to get away from the tired cliches from the commentators about Galati, it was somewhere between condesenstion and utterly patronising. As is typical when an English club plays a European minnow.

[Baddar]

I would've taken the 3pts however they came, but the performance was still poor.

I mean, you're 1-0 up at home after 8mins, and have Nani and Valencia on the wings, with Hernandez and Berbatov up front, Rooney just behind. I expected more, that's all.

Ray Wilkins was spot-on. Every time we turned up the pace of the game, we ripped them to shreds, but the final ball/effort was severly lacking.

People in work today are talking all about Man City again. A good win, sure, but it was essentially a Villarreal B team. They'll still need to finish above Bayern to avoid the likes of Barca and Real in the last 16, which won't be easy.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

De Gea, Fabio, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Valencia, Young and Berbatov

One up top, a little worrying but with Valencia and Nani in, Young may play just behind Berbatov, should be interesting. Rooney out with a slight knock, but great news that Rafael is on the bench.

Pretty big night overall. Also a win for City will take them through, so let's all get behind Napoli tonight (Y)

[MJB]

Personally I'd like to see Ashley Young play right on the last man and allow Berbatov to drop into the hole. Just think that if Young could stretch their back line and push them back towards their own goal, it would give Dimi much more space to work his magic.

[Lineker]

Manchester United: de Gea, Fabio, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Young, Berbatov.

Subs: Lindegaard, Giggs, Smalling, Park, Hernandez, Rafael, Gibson.

Benfica: Artur Moraes, Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Emerson, Witsel, Javi Garcia, Bruno Cesar, Aimar, Rodrigo Moreno, Gaitan.

Subs: Eduardo, Amorim, Cardozo, Nolito, Nelson Oliveira, Matic, Miguel Vitor.

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Napoli: De Sanctis, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena, Lavezzi, Hamsik, Cavani.

Subs: Rosati, Grava, Mascara, Santana, Dzemaili, Fernandez, Pandev.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Silva, de Jong, Toure Yaya, Milner, Balotelli, Dzeko.

Subs: Pantilimon, Johnson, Savic, Aguero, Barry, Nasri, Clichy.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

[IAceI]

No Richards in the 18 and apparently Capello came to watch him? Ah well, nice trip to his home country for Fabio I guess.

EDIT: http://kimthrough1.tistory.com/834

Tekkers on display in CSKA v Lille from earlier.

Edited November 22, 2011 by IAceI

[Jimmy]

What's Cavani like? He's got quality stats and is signed for big money on FM so was curious.

[Johnny Latino Heat]

Benfica

[IAceI]

Strong, powerful, a good old number nine. The spearhead for Lavezzi and Hamsik.

[MJB]

Ah.

Well that's not a great start.

[IAceI]

Madrid are 3-0 up within 8 minutes. Benzema, Callejon and Higuain.

[Colly]

Mourinho's interview stated he was resting players not because this game would be easy but because players were tired. I think he was being diplomatic.

[IAceI]

1-0 Napoli. Cavani/Kolarov/Hart/someone got it.

Knew I was in for trouble when I clicked 'place bet' and didn't feel comfortable.

[Colly]

Can't even blame me for that one. My moneys on United...

[IAceI]

Can't even blame me for that one. My moneys on United...

Oh no, it's on them too, don't worry. I've got that one covered.

The worst part is when your potential other choices all seem to start coming in. Something to be said for over-analysing.

EDIT: 4-0 Madrid. Ozil now.

Edited November 22, 2011 by IAceI

[Colly]

Yep, Madrid and Basel. It wasn't even a high risk bet, Bayern and Brum both winning. Pull your finger out Ashley Young.